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Picture of The Theodore Bullfrog
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Saturday, 17th June 2023
With picture contributions to 4529 other pubs
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The Theodore Bullfrog, WC2

26-30 John Adam Street
WC2
WC2N 6HL
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Theodore Bullfrog (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Theodore Bullfrog

This started life back in 1690 as the St. Martin’s Tavern, rebuilt in 1959, probably as a result of bombing and known in the 1970s as the Gilbert & Sullivan, the two eponymous composers once gracing each side of the pub sign, according to John Wittich in his seminal tome (alright pamphlet), Discovering London’s Inns and Taverns.
The ground floor is on two levels and is a very modern affair, at least in its current incarnation, with pale wood, fawn banquettes, blue paint, pale blue glazed tiles to the bar back with square section tubular steel shelving and seemingly conical lampshades made from wood; décor comprises reproduction watercolour prints of fruit or frogs. What’s worthy of a special mention, is the gent’s lavs, with four cubicles no less. Now onto the customers: think The Office, but after 10 pints, with slightly lairy ladz, frequently turning the air somewhat blue.
Ales: the barmaid looked like she’d lost the will to live – can’t say I blame her – dishing up Special ‘coming soon’, an unused pump then Proper Job at a reasonable £2.55 a half and ok.
Clearly Will had arrived at lunchtime, as it would appear to be a different story towards the end of the evening, but I certainly won’t be coming here again.

On 5th November 2021 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1943 recommendations about 1910 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about The Theodore Bullfrog

Surprisingly included in Discovering London's Inns and Taverns by John Wittich, the present building is a replacement dating to 1959. Now painted a subdued green (outside and in) and renamed about 20 years ago, I was a little taken aback to discover that it's actually quite an attractive building. A step just inside the front door seems like it is there just to set up comedy moments, and the fact that the bar is down a few further steps is a second test for those who have been to one or two pubs prior to this one.

The bar has four hand pumps, with one naked, one "coming soon" and the others displaying Youngs Original and St Austell Proper Job pump clips. My half of the bitter (£2.35) was in good condition. There were a few early arrivals for lunch but there were fewer than a dozen customers during my time here.

The upper level by the front windows is light, airy and pleasant, and there's also a small snug or private booth in the corner. The walls are decorated with a number of pictures of flowers, birds and (of course) frogs; the sort of pictures you get by dismantling coffee table books and sticking them in a frame, but no less pleasant to look at for all that. I quite enjoyed my visit here, but the pub is not so attractive that I'll be making an effort to come back any time soon. A pleasant start to my Let's All Go Down the Strand crawl.

On 2nd October 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3697 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Theodore Bullfrog

I really ought to hate this place, but it does serve a purpose of an evening when you are waiting for a train at Charing Cross and all the other pubs in the area are absolutely rammed. It is on the small side with limited seating space, meaning that most of the customers end up out on the street (whether they are smokers or not). It also has an annoying split-level layout with a couple of steps between door and bar to catch out the unwary. The bar itself is divided into two parts, the main lager dispensary which is where the staff are, and a smaller section to the left-hand side which has four handpumps. Ale selection is mainstream - but well-kept in my experience - with Ordinary and Special from Young's plus Proper Job (£4.65) from three of the four handpumps, with a reversed Doom Bar clip on the other handle, being fairly typical. It's only features of note are the unusual ledges on the pavement side of the windows which are ideal (whether by design or accident) for setting your pint down if standing outside.

On 24th April 2019 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8039 recommendations about 8039 pubs]


View more reviews of The Theodore Bullfrog (8)
This pub features in the following crawls:
Let's All Go Down the Strand by Will Larter
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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
London Charing Cross, 0.1 miles, 1 min walk (show)
London Waterloo, 0.86 miles, 16 min walk (show)
London Blackfriars, 1.75 miles, 33 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Theodore Bullfrog, WC2
17th Jun 2023, 12:18
Picture submitted by paulof horsham approved
 
17th Jun 2023, 12:18
Picture submitted by paulof horsham approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Car Park : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Darts : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Function Room : Yes - From review - last updated 01 September 2010 by Dave McNally
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Jukebox : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Karaoke : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Live Music : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Pinball : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Pool Table : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Real Ale : Yes - Young's. - last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Real Cider : No last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
  • Wheelchair Access : No - Steps down to bar and WCs downstairs. - last updated 05 November 2021 by Tris C
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